“What about student debt?” I don't make enough to pay off my current medical debts alongside rent anyway.
“But won't the student debt affect your credit score if you don't pay it?” So will unpaid rent.
“Won't poor credit make it harder to find future housing?” It can't possibly deal more damage than the market is dealing on its own. A $1600 studio that goes up $200-300 a year? Eviction seems super likely anyway.
I've been denying myself a second chance to be a student, to nurture my mind, to do the things that I found thrilling before, all to maintain some hope that keeping my debt low will ensure stability. That stability is a joke now, so why not live my life?
What do I have to lose that isn't being rapidly stolen from me anyway?